The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-14
TESTS OF A MEDIUM.
Anna Eva Fay's Striking Performances Illus
1rative of Spiritualism.

The audience of 1000 people in Tomlinson
Hall last night must have been an inspiration to
the possible spirits fitting in space and to Anna
Eva Fay in giving her spiritualistic entertain
ment Mrs. Fay has recently returned from Eu-
rope. where she says she was subjected to some
very severe tests by eminent scientists She claims
to have astounded the experlmentalists and
gained wide reputation before she returned to
America. Mrs. Fay is assisted in her seances
by her husband. Before the entertainment be-
gan he delivered short lecture, stating in de-
tail what the medium would have the spirits do.
All her tests, he said, were made from scientific
basis, and he invited the best informed
men in the audience to come upon the stage and
watch the proceedings. He asked the audience
to name two well known gentlemen as commit
tee. DR.. p H. Jameson and Prof. John Collett
were selected. They began their supervision
by examining the square safe in which Miss Fay
bound her, each wrist, and then tied the
wrists together behind her. Her feet were also
tied, and, besides this, rope put around her
neck was fastened to the rear of the safe. Sew
eral musical instruments were placed on her
lap, and when the curtain was drawn music
came from the instruments. When this test
was over the committee examined thu medium
and found her tied as she had been left. The
second test was the tying of knot in a
cord hanging loosely around her neck A glass
of water was placed upon her lap by Professor
Collett after which the curtains were closed
When they were opened a second afterward the
glass had been raised to her mouth, she holding
it between her teeth. DR.. Jameson, at the sug
gestion OF the audience. then went into into the
safe with the medium. The musical instruments
with several slips of paper were placed on Miss
Fay's lap and he was directed to hold them.
The curtains we're no sooner closed before the
ivcf &c 1nv1y "a eov M~ Vovo Snv,fc
grasp and thrown out of the SAFE When he
came out. he found that some one had written
on all the slips of paper that ha been in her hand
He said he felt the hand of some one on his face
during the seance. On the slips of paper were
written the following names: civilian Aukey,
Isaiah Solomon" "Dr Wymand," Thomas
Mackey," wv. F. A Bernhamer," ''Ike Thai
man." wv II. Brown" and John Martin" For
Fay in the safe and on it placed board. ham
mer and some nails. When the curtains were
drawn and the spirits came forth there was a
great pounding and the board was thrown out
with the nails driven through it. A slip Of pape.
was also placed upon the ladys lap and she had
the spirits to cut from it limitations of babies
Numerous other exhibitions Of the workings CT
the strange power were given behind the curtains
that almost amazed the audience. There was also
an exhibition Of spirit telegraphy. While 8
| young man went through the audience with
| deck of cards the lady would name each one be
or any member of the audience exhibited.
! The most interesting part of the entertain
mept was that given in the full gaslight. The
| curtains were removed and desk placed around
the lady. On it were paper and pencil. Hell
! hands were tied, and she commanded the spirit
| to write. Instantly the pencil could be seen NOV
ing over the paper, and quite number of names
of prominent gentlemen OF the city were writ
ten. A knife in front of her, and the spirits
| on being commanded to take it away, hand ap
! peared and removed it. Further on in the seanct
forms, hands and faces were plainly seen by per
sons all over the room. Messrs Jameson and Col
| lett watched every movement Of the medium
very closely, and said that far as they coult
| see there were no tricks about the performance